Apple's Jewels: Insight Into Its Innovative Process

A patent application was reported for Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) that shows how it continues to innovate in the mobile computing/communications space. More importantly, it gives the investor an insightful view into the strategic planning that sets Apple apart from other companies.

Apple has a particular focus on how to approach implementing innovative technology into its product line, and lead with breaking technology, while other companies always seem to be following. Look at two innovations in the iPhone 5s: the 64-bit processor, and the Touch ID sensor. In both cases, competitors are scrambling to catch up.

The main competitors include Google's (NASDAQ: GOOGL) Android and Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) Windows Phone 8. Samsung (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF) , which makes both Android and Windows phones, has been rumored to be looking at biosensors, particularly iris recognition, in an answer to Touch ID. Meanwhile, NVIDIA has a new Tegra K1 system processor chip that comes in a 64-bit configuration, attempting to pass Apple's proprietary A7. They include very high-performance graphics processing hardware that is a major advance.

Android leading in larger phonesOne aspect in which Android manufacturers have been leading is the move to larger-sized phones. Apple has missed this trend. Apple is overly obsessed with simplicity, and offers a simplistic line of each year's new phone, plus the last two phones at a discount. Apple has been slow to accept that one size does not suit all of the hundreds of millions of users in the world.

Now The Wall Street Journalreports that Apple will introduce not one, but two new larger-sized iPhones this year. According to its sources, one will sport a screen size of about 4.5 inches, and the other, something around 5 inches. The original iPhone had a 3.5-inch screen. Last year's iPhone 5, and subsequent models, all sport 4-inch screens.

Jewels enter the iPhoneWhat will the new iPhones look like? As for aesthetic design, that is for others to fuss over. But for one innovation, there are some strong hints.

On Nov. 4 last year, GT Advanced Technologies announced an agreement with Apple on the purchase of sapphire-production capacity. The agreement calls for Apple to provide $578 million in prepayments, which are financing the building of a facility in Mesa, Ariz.

On Jan. 23, 9to5Mac reported that Apple has advertised to hire Manufacturing Design Engineers, based in Mesa, to "provide end-to-end manufacturing and process solutions for key design features" for the iPhone and iPod. It appears the process is ramping up.

Apple initiated the use of sapphire in the iPhone 5 as a cover for the camera lens. In the new iPhone 5s, it is also used in the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Sapphire is nine on the Mohs scale -- the second hardest mineral after diamond -- harder even than Gorilla Glass by Corning (NYSE: GLW) currently used for screens in iPhones and other high-end smartphones. Samsung has signed a new contract with Corning that will, among other things, provide:

A new long-term LCD display glass supply agreement that runs through 2023

A strengthening of the two companies' technology collaborations on strategic product development and commercialization initiatives

Gorilla Glass screens reportedly cost about $3 each, while sapphire glass has been in the $20-$30 range. That price can drop. Tim Worstall of The Register wrote in May of last year:

We would also expect production costs to come down as they have with silicon: perhaps not a 10x reduction, but no one can see why a 3x or 4x wouldn't be achievable.

He concludes his report:

And at $10 and under for a screen, most think that sapphire would be competitive with Gorilla Glass at its $3. After all, the sapphire is some three times stronger, three times less likely to crack if dropped, and three times harder to scratch.

It does appear to be realistic, especially if production costs come down, and that precisely is Tim Cook's forte.

Patent application from 2012 provided cluesMeanwhile, Patently Apple reported a patent application by Apple for "Techniques for attachment of sapphire substrates with other materials." As we can see from one of the illustrations, the target is most definitely the iPhone. Of note is that the application was filed back in July 2012. So, Apple has been preparing for this for at least two years.

Source: Apple

The interesting point here is how this gives us insight into Apple's innovation modus operandi:

Apple takes interest in a material and begins to work with it.

It asses the requirements to utilize it, and prepares technological solutions, i.e., patents.

Only then is Apple ready to use the new technology in a greater capacity, e.g, large screens or small camera lens covers. Slowly, inexorably, it moves to a goal that it's had for several years.

The bottom lineIt seem as though all roads are leading to sapphire screens for the next-generation iPhone. There is a possibility that the production capacity Apple is building will be used for an iWatch instead, but the iPhone is still a likely candidate. If it does move in that direction, it will likely have a corner on production, at least on low-cost production, that will provide a competitive edge. Sapphire is definitely harder than the competition and most likely stronger as well.

Apple's use of sapphire for screens will keep the iPhone at the forefront of technology once again.

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Erm... You may want to do a little more homework before making that claim. You look really silly right now. Not to say Apple doesn't have their own share of 'firsts' - they just have an even bigger share of 'lasts', like the aforementioned larger screen sizes. Let's also not forget OLED displays, wearables, fingerprint sensors (though they did that one better than earlier iterations), and the supposed smart TV that's been rumored for ages... In fact, you specifically mentioned biometrics when that's been part of mobile technology in other forms for years.

It all a matter of opinion. OLED is a matter of choice. Apple has good reason for staying away from oleds. If they move to them in the future it is because they believe they are ready.

As for touch id - an earlier implementation that does not work should not count. Are you going to give apple credit for the first PDA - the Newton - that had all the features of the Palm Pilot buy years ahead?

I even mentioned the move to bigger smartphones as one in which they lag.